The Kansas City Chiefs used to win due to their electrifying offense. While things have shifted in recent years—and it’s been the defense responsible for holding it down in the big moments—the hope is that the Chiefs will get back to their dominant ways offensively as soon as possible.

Even with the passing offense potentially stepping it up in 2025, the rushing attack might be another story. The Chiefs were just outside the bottom 10 in rushing yards in 2024, and despite the down year from the backfield, the team did little to address it this offseason.

Hopefully, this ends up with little relevance, but after Isiah Pacheco missed half the season with an injury and Kareem Hunt inches closer to 30, it couldn’t have hurt for K.C. to try to add more insurance at the running back spot.

Behind those two guys are Elijah Mitchell, Brashard Smith, and Elijah Young, with Carson Steele serving in the fullback role. Mitchell didn’t play in a single game last year, and Smith and Young are rookies, so the depth isn’t exactly standing out in a positive way here.

Chiefs might quickly regret not adding running back depth this offseason

It’s certainly worth noting that just because the Chiefs didn’t add help doesn’t mean they’re totally screwed when the season gets underway. Perhaps they can trade for a disgruntled running back who’s been leapfrogged with his current team or find someone who broke out during the preseason but was let go.

If the Chiefs do stick with what they have, however, it could end up really hurting them in 2025. The run game was a weakness in 2024, and while it’s always fun to see Patrick Mahomes slinging the football down the field to Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, or Rashee Rice, having a good run game is important because it allows offenses to control the clock. It also makes it more difficult for defenses to figure out what you’re going to do.

Not having a good run game is something other teams will pick up on when playing the Chiefs, so let’s hope Pacheco can have a bounce-back year and that Hunt still has plenty left in the tank.